Who would have thought that the World No.1 spinner in the longest format will be benched throughout the five-match series between India and England in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship? Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had to warm the bench for the first four Test matches as India remained keen on deploying four seamers against Joe Root-led England in their recently concluded away tour.
Though Ashwin failed to record a single appearance against England, the spin wizard and middle-order floating batsman was rewarded for his recent exploits in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Delhi Capitals (DC) spin icon received a much-deserving call-up to the Team India side for the 2021 edition of the ICC World Cup. Talking about Ashwin’s sensational white-ball return ahead of the World Cup, former Team India skipper Sunil Gavaskar opined that Ashwin’s white-ball selection is a ‘consolation’ to make up for the disappointment in England series.
Welcoming Ashwin’s return to the fold prior to the resumption of the IPL 2021 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), batting legend Gavaskar said that the return of the veteran spinner was a good decision. However, Gavaskar still had his reservations about Ashwin making regular appearances at the ICC World T20.
“Ashwin’s return is a good thing but we’ll have to wait and see if he gets a place in the playing XI. You have selected him in the 15, that’s alright, you chose him in the squad in England as well but are not giving him the chance in the XI,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak. The former Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper last played white-ball cricket for Team India in 2017. Ashwin is still India’s third-highest wicket-taker (52) in the 20-over format.
“So, he’s perhaps just given a consolation cup to make up for the disappointment that he might have here (in England). Will he play in the XI? Only time will tell,” Gavaskar added. While Ashwin was named in the star-studded squad of the 2007 champions, spin wizard Yuzvendra Chahal and veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan failed to make the cut for the 2021 World Cup.
